Combined rotatable eaves trough and leaderhead



Feb. 12, 1963 R. N. TRIPP, JR 3,077,055

COMBINED ROTATABLE EAVES TROUGH AND LEADERHEAD Filed Sept. 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIgNTOR. Raga/z .4. Z'v vp, 1 1:

BY M

Feb. 12, 1963 R. N. TRIPP, JR 3,077,055

COMBINED ROTATABLE EAVES TROUGH AND LEADERHEAD Filed Sept, 28, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l4 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY This appli alien is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 644,285 filed March 6, 1957, now abandoned; and the invention relates to a combination of an caves trough, a downspout or leader and a leaderhead for connecting the trough to the leader or downspout, and nore particularly the invention contemplates such a combination wherein the trough can be inverted for cleaning purposes, that is, to dump debris therefrom, in a convenient manner by a person standing on the ground.

Ettorts have been made to avoid the necessity of going on the roof of a house or other building or climbing a ladder to clean the gutters when they become clogged with twigs, leaves and other debris. Various schemes for that purpose have been developed, but apparently without success.

A pri nary object or" the present invention is to provide an eaves trough or roof gutter which can be mounted on sscia board or suspended from an eaves and associated with a leaderhead tor a leader or downspout in a novel and improved manner whereby the gutter can be slid longitud sally endwise through the leaderhead or the leaderhead can he slid longitudinally onto the gutter so that the lesderhesd can be adjusted to, for example, a previously installed downspout or lead 1', and after adjustment or" ,eaderhead, a hole can be cut in the bottom the gutter or trough to permit the escape of the water from the trough through the leaderhead into the leader, and the ugh can no easily and quickly rotated by a person standing on the ground for the purpose of dumping debris from the trough.

Another object is to provide such a combination of an eaves trough and a leaderhead which shall include a novel and improved construction and combination of an eaves trough and leaderh... and means for supporting or rziounting the combination of parts on a support such as a fascia board of a building or the building eaves.

Still another object is to provide a novel construction nd combination eaves trough, support hangers or ets a rotor having c nected thereto a pull chain or tl-e like for rotating the trough in the hangers associated with one of the hangers and the trough in sch a manner as to guide the trough during rotation thereof and prevent ring of the trough when in an inverted or dumping position.

other objects, advantages and results of the invention ill be brought out by the following description in conjui n with accompan ing draw' s in which l is a fragmentary elevational view of the combined e ss t ough, leaderhead, downspout, hangers and rotor c body lg the invention and mounted on a fascia board, portions of which are broken away;

ElGU -*E 2 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view of the parts as shown in l;

3 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view a; roximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of PEG- URE 1;

FIGURE 4 is Patented l e o. lfitig shown in FKGURIE 6 associated with a leaderhead for s sporting the leaderhead from an eaves;

ing th t is also shown in an end elevation;

i i 9 is a fragmentary central vertical longitudinal sectional view similar to FlGURE 2 showing a modification of the invention; and

FiGURE 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view approximately on the plane or" the line ahll of FEGURE 9.

Specifically describing the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FEGURES 1 through 5, inclusive, reference character A designates an eaves trough or gutter which may be variously constructed but is preferably approximately serni-cylindrical and formed of material such as galvanized iron, copper, plastic, etc. The trough is associated with a leaderhead B which connects the trough to a leader or downspout C.

In accordance with the invention, the leaderhead and trough are so constructed that the trough may be slid endwise or longitudinally relatively to the leaderhead, or the leaderhead can be slid longitudinally of the trough so that the leaderhead can be positioned at any desired point with respect to the length of the trough, for example, to permit the connection of the leader-head to a previously installed leader or downspout, and after the leaderhead has been suitably po 'tioned, a hole can be cut in the bottom of the trough to a tow the escape of water from the trough bro-ugh the leaderhead into the leader. The invention also provides for free rotation of the trough relative to the leaderhead for the purpose of inverting the gutter to dump debris therefrom.

The leaderhead and gutter are supported on a building position with respect to the eaves of the building, the gutter by hangers D, and the leaderhead either by fastening elements such as screws or by the hangers, and a rotor E is connected to the trough and has a pull chain or cord connected thereto for rotating the trough; and the rotor is associated with one of the hangers for g d ng the trough and preventing jamming thereof in the hangers d ing rotation of the trough.

More particularly describing the invention, the leaderhead includes a boal body portion 1% having an outlet 1 the leader or downspout C is connected. is 3 of the body portion 1 have upwardly s ing arcuate seats 4 of approximately the same radius the semicircu trough A, and rigidly connected to each end wall 3 IS a ring 5 concentric with the trough and s-at and serving both as a guide for the trough, if desired, for coaction with a circular ring 6 of a r D which has a base portion 7 rigidly connected to 1 approximately tangential with the ring for attachment to a support such as a fascia board P of a building by means of screws 3. rear wall of the body portion 3 has an extension 5* to be secured to the fascia board by fastening memc s such as screws for supporting the leaderhead on .e building, but if desired, and as ends through, is supported by and is rotatable in all of hang rs and tie lesderhead; and the trough has a dislie bottom thereof disposed within 1 A CirE'gG G opening and the leaderhead into the r doe-Ins out C. A suitable screen 13 is secured in the trough over the opening 12 and extending outwardly beyond the end rings 5 of the body portion of the leaderhead to prevent debris such as leaves and twigs from clogging the discharge opening 12 and the downspout. The ends of the trough are closed as usual by end caps or plates 11. In some cases it may be desirable to insert rigid braces il -3 between the longitudinal edges of the trough to prevent collapse or lateral movement of the sides or" the trough. With this construction, it will be seen that during installation of the parts, the leaderhead may be slid onto and longiutudinally of the trough from one end thereof to the desired point, for example, for connection to a previously installed leader or dow pout, or the trough may be slid longi"- idinally through the hangers and the leaderhead after the leaderhead has been in stalled,

As hereinbefore indicated, the trough rotated in the hangers and leader-heads by the rotor E which is shown in the form of a ring concentric with the trough and having an inside radius approximately corresponding to the radius of the outer surface of the trough. The rotor is associated with one of the hangers D so as to prevent .gamming or collapse of the sides of the trough when the trough is in inverted position, and as shown, two rollers 15 are mounted on the rotor in circumferentially spaced relation on the respective pins 15 which are rigidly secured in lugs 17 which project radially inwardly of the ring so that the rollers will run on the ring a of the coacting hanger D as best shown in FEGURES 2 and 3, the rollers being disposed at the side of a diametral plane of "the rotor ring opposite the trough.

The trough may be caused to rotate with the ring in an suitable manner; for example, the lugs 17' may engage the edges of the trough, or additional lugs may be provided on the ring for that purpose, or the ring may be soldered or welded to the trough.

Also any suitable means may be provided for holding the rotor ring against movement longitudinally of the trough in outward cooperative relation to the hanger ring. For example, a stop lug it; might be secured on the outside of the trough, one in abutting relation to one end of the rotor and the other in abutting relation. to the hanger ring 6 with which the rotor cooperates. it will be observed that this arrangement would also prevent longitudinal movement of the trough with respect to all of the hangers and the leaderhcad, but similar means could be employed at any one of the hangers or at the leaderhead.

Instead of the association of the rotor E with one of the hangers as above described, the hangers shown in my afore-n entioned application, Serial No. 644,285, may be utilized, one at each side of the rotor E, for supporting and guiding the trough and preventing jamming or collapse of the trough in the hangers when the trough is inverted. Referring particularly to FIGURES 9 and 10, each modified hanger F is shown as including a ring member concentric with and of about the same inner adius as the trough and through which the trough freely extends. This ring member 2% is housed and rotatable in a ring retainer 21 supported by the hanger F. The hanger may be secured to the fascia board or side of a building as by means or" screws 22, so that the trough lies directly beneath the eaves 23 of a roof 2-; in about the same manner in which the trough is mounted by the hangers D. This ring retainer 21 may be formed so as to enclose a ring member 2i? and thereby cont rm it against appreciable axial movement, with sufiicient clearance to allow free rotation of the ring member with the associated trough in the retainer 2-1. The other hangers for supporting the trough do not require any equivalent of the ring members and may be, for example, like the hangers D. The trough may be held against longitudinal movement relative to the ring member by any suitable means. For example, the trough may be formed with outturned beaded edges 25 for notches 2.6 in which the ring members are seated, or stop lugs like the lugs 18' may be secured to the trough at opposite sides or the ring.

in this form of the invention, the rotor E need not have the rollers 15 and there is no need for any means other than friction to prevent movement of the rotor is longitudinally of the trough. For the purpose of illustrating other means for causing the trough to rotate with the rotor, the rotor ring E is shown with inwardly projecting lugs 27 each of which abuts one edge of the trough. Also the rotor ring is shown as having a pull cord 19 attached thereto instead of a pull chain.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that normally the trough will be disposed with its edges facing upwardly beneath the building eaves 23 to receive water from the eaves, and the water will also flow from the eaves into the trough disposed within the leaderhead through the space between the support rings 5 of the leadcrhead. When it is desired to clean the trough, the operator need only stand on the ground and pull on the pull chain or cord 19 so as to cause rotation of the rotor and thereby rotate the trough into an inverted or upside-down position so that debris therein will fall therefrom by action of gravity. After the trough has been in this way, a pull on the pull chain n the opposite direction will return the trough to its normal position.

In some cases it may be impossible to mount the trough on a fascia board, and the invention contemplates means for supporting the trough from the building eaves or root when that is necessary. As shown in FIG URES 6 through 8, hangers G are provided each in luding a ring 6 to receive one of the support rings 5 of the leaderhead or to receive the trough as the case may be, each ring being pivotally connected to a suspension linlt 29 that is in turn pivotally connected at 3% to one end of a bracket bar 31, for example, to be sccured to the building root 2d beneath the shingles 32 as by nails 33 driven through openings 3 in the bracket arm into the roof, as best shown in FIGURE 8. Preferably the suspension link 29 has a plurality of openings 35 spaced longitudinally thereof and the pivot bolt 39 may be interchangeably fitted into any of said openings so that the distance of the leaderhcad and trough below the building eaves may be adjusted as desired to insure proper flow of water from the eaves into the trough.

While the now preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that this is primarily for the purpose of illustratlng the principles of the invention and that the structural details may be widely modified and changed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. An eaves trough assembly comprising in combination with a building having overhanging eaves, an approximately serni-cylindrical trough and means for mounting said trough beneath said eaves for rotation about a longitudinal axis, including hangers at spaced points in the length of the trough secured to said building, at least two of said hangers provided with ring retainers, ring members rotatably mounted in said ring retainers, said trough extending through and being supported by said ring members, a rotor connected to said trough between said two of said hangers to rotate therewith, and a flexible pull member associated with said rotor for rotating said trough about said longitudinal axis.

2. An eaves trough assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said trough has a discharge opening, and with the addition of a leader downspout and a leaderhead having an approximately cylindrical portion in which said trough is coaxiaily rotatable, said leaderhead having a lateral outlet connected to said leader downspout communicating with said discharge opening of the trough.

3. An eaves trough assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said trough has a radial discharge opening through the bottom; thereof to communicate with said outlet of the leaderhead when the trough is in normal position.

4. An eaves trough assembly comprising in combination with a building having overhanging eaves, an approximately semi-cyiindrical trough having a lateral outlet opening in its bottom, and means for mounting said trough beneath said eaves on said building for rotation about a longitudinal axis including hangers secured to said building in which saidtrough is mounted to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a rotor connected to said trough to rotate therewith, a flexible pull member associated with said rotor for rotating said trough about said longitudinal axis, a leader downspout, and a leaderhead mounted on the building having semi-cylindrical seats disposed at opposite ends thereof which are engaged by said trough and which provide for relative movement of said leader downspout and said trough longitudinally of the trough with the leaderhead disposed intermediate the ends of the trough, said leaderhead having a lateral outlet connected to said leader downspout and communicating with the outlet opening of the trough.

5. An eaves trough assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said hangers have ring retainers, said rotor comprises a ring through which extends said trough providing for rotation of the trough with said rotor ring, and there are a plurality of pins projecting axially from one side of said rotor ring and movable in the ring portion of one of said hangers during rotation of the trough.

6. An eaves trough assembly comprising in combination with a building having overhanging eaves, an approximately semi-cylindrical trough and means for mounting said trough beneath said eaves on said building for rotation about a longitudinal axis including supports secured to said building in which said trough is rotatably mounted, a wheel connected to said trough to rotate therewith, a flexible pull member associated with said wheel for rotating said trough about said longitudinal axis, a leader downspout, and a leaderhead comprising an approximately cylindrical portion having an opening extending therethrough in which said trough is relatively slidable and coaxially rotatable, said cylindrical portion having a lateral outlet connected to said leader downspout, said rotor having interior substantially diametrically opposite inwardly extending lugs abutting the respective edges of said trough and said rotor being slidable longitudinally of said trough.

7. An eaves trough assembly comprising in combination with a building having overhanging eaves, an approxin ately semi-cylindrical trough and means for mounting said trough on said building beneath said eaves for rotation about a longitudinal axis, including ring members secured to said trough at spaced points in the length thereof and hangers secured to said building having ring retainers in each of which is rotatably mounted one of said ring members, a rotor rigidly connected to said trough to rotate therewith, a flexible pull member associated with said rotor for rotating said trough about said longitudinal axis, a leader downspout and a leaderhead comprising an approximately cylindrical portion in which said trough is coaxially rotatable, said cylindrical portion of the leaderhead having a lateral radial outlet connected to said leader downspout and said trough having a transverse opening through the bottom thereof to communicate with said outlet of the leaderhead when the trough is in normal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 166,905 Stohler Aug. 17, 1875 510,515 McKenney Dec. 12, 1893 1,526,825 Bohnsack Feb. 17, 1925 2,624,299 Beegle Jan. 6, 1953 

1. AN EAVES TROUGH ASSEMBLY COMPRISING IN COMBINATION WITH A BUILDING HAVING OVERHANGING EAVES, AN APPROXIMATELY SEMI-CYLINDRICAL TROUGH AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID TROUGH BENEATH SAID EAVES FOR ROTATION ABOUT A LONGITUDINAL AXIS, INCLUDING HANGERS AT SPACED POINTS IN THE LENGTH OF THE TROUGH SECURED TO SAID BUILDING, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID HANGERS PROVIDED WITH RING RETAINERS, RING MEMBERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID RING RETAINERS, SAID TROUGH EXTENDING THROUGH AND BEING SUPPORTED BY SAID RING MEMBERS, A ROTOR CONNECTED TO SAID TROUGH BETWEEN SAID TWO OF SAID HANGERS TO ROTATE THEREWITH, AND A FLEXIBLE PULL MEMBER ASOCIATED WITH SAID ROTOR FOR ROTATING SAID TROUGH ABOUT SAID LONGITUDINAL AXIS. 